Plans for Our Future Friendship Work Were Adopted by All of the Executive Members

By SONIA BOSHKO – Recording Secretary

Top: Michael Lucas giving the main report at the Presidium, with Viktor Bourenkov, Frank Trampus and Angelo D'Angelo.Middle: Viktor Bourenkov, Chair of the Soviet Society for
Friendship with Foreign Countries, giving a report of the work of the
Soviet Society.Bottom: Some of the 32 delegates following the many reports given during the meeting.

Executive members gathered for this important meeting at the Friendship
House in Toronto in order to exchange opinions, discuss the points on
the agenda and propose activities for the future work of the Friendship
Societies.

Attending were 9 Executive members from the US Friends of Soviet People
and, Editorial Board of NSC – Victor Bourenkov, Chairman of the Soviet
Society for Friendship with Foreign Countries from Moscow, and the
Editorial Board of the Russian Edition of NSC – plus 14 Executive
members of the Canadian Friends of Soviet People and Editorial Board of
NSC.

After the introduction of all the members attending, the Main Report
was given by Michael Lucas, Chairman and Editor who touched upon some
problems that are encountered in publishing the Russian Edition of NSC;
the need to re-establish the many former branches of the Friendship
Society in Canada, USA and for the Soviet comrades to establish new
Soviet Friendship Societies in former Soviet Republics.

He also touched on the history of the Friendship House in Toronto – not
to be swayed by some proposals that the name, "Soviet" should be out of
our name since there is no longer the Soviet Union. He outlined the
history as to why the Third World Congress was cancelled in Moscow for
2007.

He also commented as to the problems encountered against the NSC by
some revisionist communist parties. Much effort and great results are
achieved by the redesigned NSC Web page, and it's now even more of an
effective tool for friendship and solidarity with Soviet people.

The question of holding the Third World Congress was discussed and the
opinion was to hold it in Chile in April of 2011. The final decision
will be made by all Executive members of the International Council in
the 14 countries.

In his remarks, Victor Bourenkov gave a detailed overview of the Soviet
Friendship Society- its structure, its growth, its problems and unity
with other organizations. He also elaborated on the present political
and economic situation in Russia and the growing struggles by more and
more young people who demonstrate, hold pickets and publish newspapers
such as "Bumbarash and Sadovoye Kolco"

Victor offered suggestions for future improvements in NSC our editions,
plus a promise to send more articles, photographs of events and to urge
the trade union representatives to write about their ongoing struggle.

The Report of Dr. Adelard Paquin, Editor of French Edition of NSC was
read by Michael Lucas since Dr. Paquin, due to an operation was unable
to be present.

He said that the situation in the world has changed drastically and
news stages of imperialism are surfacing as predicted by Marx. Serious
debate and study must occur, including the works of Marx, Lenin and
Stalin. We must understand the uneven development of the economic and
politics of the capitalist countries.

The orientation of our Friendship Societies must be the resurrection of
Socialism and of the USSR. With this orientation, our aims can be
achieved. We must provoke the readers of NSC to take part in these
discussions, thus providing a forum for the debate of socialist
principles. We must not stray from this noble task! Unity is the Key!

Angelo D'Angelo, Chairman of the US Friends of Soviet People reported
on the work of the Friendship Society, their plans for expansion and
the success of their Cable TV Program twice per month, where they show
Soviet films for a very extensive audience of the new Russian
immigrants on Staten Island and he urged others to try and establish
the Cable TV program.

He reported that they publish a Friendship Bulletin and spreading it
out extensively. Angelo had also some doubts and criticism about the
"Project for a Socialist Manifesto".

Daniel Elash reported on plans for saving the Soviet films and how to
transfer them into videos and DVD's and had already e-mailed photos of
these films and gathered the titles as well as outlining the logistical
problems, plus offering his time and expertise to get them converted.

Top: Dr. Angelo D'Angelo, Chairman of the US Friends of Soviet People, reporting on activities.Bottom: George Gruenthal, NSC webmaster, discussing the future of NSC and its expanded web page.

All delegates took a very active part in discussions. On left are
Willy Velazquez and Fallou Gueye, from the US Friends of Soviet People

The report by Pavel Krasnov and the "Project of a New Socialist
Manifesto" sparked much discussion and sometimes hot debate, with
proposed amendments, criticism as well as praise. The first part was
published in September NSC and received great accolades. The Second
part came under criticism.

It was decided to publish the other revised part in the October NSC and
on the NSC Web-Page. The complete Manifesto will be sent to all members
of the International Council for their decision.

Our Youth Committee venture of establishing the NSC Facebook was
debated, with pros and cons of this new venture. It was decided to
continue.

Another hotly discussed topic was of how best to save the over 200
Soviet documentary films that were to be disposed off by the CPUSA and
are now on the West Coast of the USA. The US comrades and Canadian
comrades agreed that these Soviet films must saved and processed into
videos and DVDs for our use to promote the USSR and Socialism, but to
save these historical documentary films for the sake of history as well.

Problems of climate-controlled storage, transportation to Canada,
conversion costs and border-crossing problems were discussed. When
these problems will be resolved, the finances will be found in order to
have this historical work accomplished.

There was discussion about giving even more help to Michael Lucas the
Editor of NSC and commitment of time that is required for NSC to be
published each month. This question was not resolved and it will be
discussed again.

There was also a discussion as how best to increase our NSC subscribers
all over the world, since we need both a printed version and a web page
NSC.

It was also discussed and agreed upon that we shall help the Russian
Edition of NSC to the best of our abilities. It was also reaffirmed
unanimously that the name of our world central body should be the
"International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet
People".

A trade union observer from Cuba was Salvador Escalante Batista who
reported on the trade union activities, the life in Cuba where all the
workers have an input and debate all proposals of the government. He
reported on how the US Blockade of Cuba and its devastating effect it
has on the Cuban economy, causing hardships with necessary budget cuts
and some public services had to be cut.

Despite all of this, Cuba has free heath care and helping with its
experts in all parts of the world – free. He hoped that soon the USSR
will be reborn and Socialism will again free the people from Capitalism
and its US imperialist master.

Mike Celi, Canada , and Daniel Elash, USA

It was proposed to the International Council that the Third World
Congress should be held in Santiago, Chile in April of 2011.

An Invitation that was asked of Ray O Light to present, was read,
discussed and will be sent from this Canada-USA-USSR Meeting to "All
members of the Communist Parties, Progressive Organizations and
individuals who love freedom, justice, equality and peace" to build
international cooperation and unity, solidarity with all
anti-imperialist forces struggling against imperialism.

In the presentation of 'What does the future hold?" I asked as to where
we came from, where we are, and how we can better direct ourselves as
to where we want to be!

I outlined in short term the history of the USSR since 1917, the
nationalization, and abolishment of private ownership of the means of
production, collectivization and the building of Socialism. The role of
the media, the daily brainwashing of the population, lack of all-round
education of the other side's system and the desperate need of unity.

We have to define the movement more clearly to the uninformed that are
under the daily barrage of capitalist propaganda. For this we need
financial support, plus support from other progressive forces.

But above all, we need UNITY of all progressive forces!

Top: Salvador Escalante Batista, our special guest from Cuba, gave an overview of the present situation in Cuba.Second row: Kosta Parousis, our musical performer, after playing and singing, together with Viktor Bourenkov, sang many Soviet songs.Third row: Another guest from Cuba, Carmen Godinez, joined Kosta and rendered Cuban and Russian songs for all to enjoy.Bottom: Helen Long, Steve Sajban, Canadian delegates, enjoying the
entertainment after a tasty buffet and drinks were served and many
toasts were made.

There were much discussion and hot exchanges of opinions by all.Bottom left: Lloyd Redstone NSC proof reader. Bottom right: Helen Lucas
thanking all for their moral and financial help!

Kosta Parousis our Singing Troubador entertained us with songs and
then we had the Cuban guests sing. Ray and Elash sang in English the
Soviet National Anthem that was translated from Russian by Paul Robeson.

After the conclusion of our Meeting, we drank many toasts to our future
successes, to Socialism and to the resurrection of the USSR!